Roads closed in Norwich Saturday for Winter Festival

Published November 27. 2013 8:00PM | Updated November 27. 2013 8:30PM

Norwich — Police are requesting the cooperation of residents and visitors to the city on Saturday during Norwich’s Winter Festival 5K Road Race and Parade. Temporary traffic regulations will be put in place to ensure vehicular, pedestrian and runner safety.

A children’s run will begin at 10:30 a.m. from 108 Crescent St. at Norwich Free Academy and travel south on Crescent Street to Broad Street; east on Broad Street; north on McKinley Avenue; west on Rockwell Street; and north on Crescent Street to the finish line at NFA.

The road race will begin at 11 a.m. from NFA and travel south on Crescent Street to Broad Street; east on Broad Street; south on McKinley Avenue to Franklin Street; south on Franklin Street into Franklin Square; east on Main Street; north on Park Street; north on Cliff Street; northwest on Oak Street; west on Hobart Avenue; southeast on Hawthorne Street to Cliff Street. The race continues in reverse route back to the start at NFA.

The parade will begin at 1 p.m. on Broadway near Chelsea Parade and travel south on Broadway; east onto Broad Street; south on McKinley Avenue; south on Franklin Street; through Franklin Square; and east on Main Street, where the parade will end.

A parking ban and temporary traffic rerouting will be in effect starting at 9 a.m. and will remain in effect until about 4 p.m. in the downtown area.

At 9 a.m., the area around Chelsea Parade and Broadway from Rockwell Street to Washington Street will be closed to facilitate set-up for the marching units in the parade as well as the road race.

No parking areas include the following: Washington Street, east side adjacent to Chelsea Parade; Crescent Street, both sides from Chelsea Parade South to Broadway; Chelsea Parade South, both sides entire length; Broadway, both sides from Broad Street to Washington Street; Broad Street, both sides from Broadway to McKinley Avenue; McKinley Avenue, both sides from Broad Street to Franklin Street; Franklin Street, both sides from McKinley Avenue to Franklin Square; Main Street, both sides from Burnham Square to Shannon Corner; Broadway (lower), left side of street from Union Square.

At 10:30 a.m., the entire road race/parade route will be closed to traffic: Main Street, from Burnham Square (Route 12) to Courthouse Square; Franklin Street, from McKinley Avenue to Franklin Square; McKinley Avenue, from Franklin Street to Rockwell Street; Broad Street, from McKinley Avenue to Broadway; Broadway, from Washington Street to Broad Street; Cliff Street, from Main Street to Oak, Hawthorne and Park streets; Park Street, from Main Street to Cliff Street; and Broadway (lower), from Main Street to Union Square.

Parking areas and garages on lower Main Street, Market Street and Chelsea Harbor Drive, and Broadway across from City Hall will be accessible both prior to and during the parade. Motorists are encouraged to use these facilities.